Steph Curry Makes Return From Injury in Game 4

Steph Curry Makes Return From Injury; Do the Warriors Take Commanding Series Lead?

Steph Curry Makes Return From Injury

After missing the past two weeks, the reigning MVP was itching to return to action. Originally considered “available to play,” no one was sure what to expect from Steph Curry. He started the game coming off the bench with Shaun Livingston starting in his place. When he first entered the game, the Warriors trailed 16-2.

Curry wasn’t originally expected to play near his normal minutes, but that changed when Livingston was ejected in the second quarter for arguing a call and getting two technical fouls.

Curry was rusty to start, airing his first 3 point attempt and would miss his next 8 from beyond the arc. He played briefly in the first quarter and scored off of two jump shots. After Livingston’s ejection, it was clear Curry’s role would expand in the second half as the Blazers led 67-57 following a franchise record 41-point second quarter.

Golden State had a solid 3rd quarter and erased Portland’s lead and actually took a point lead of their own into the 4th quarter. It wasn’t until 4:35 left in regulation that Curry finally made his first 3 pointer to give the Warriors a 103-100 lead. Damian Lillard responded for the Trail Blazers, who led by 3 with a minute remaining. Lillard finished with 36 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds. His running mate, CJ McCollum, added 24 points for Portland.

Harrison Barnes hit a clutch 3 pointer with 51 seconds left to tie the game and Curry and Lillard each missed attempts to take the lead before the game headed to overtime. Overtime in the playoffs is where legends are made and Stephen Curry wrote a tale of his own on this night. He was on fire from all over the court as he compiled an NBA playoff overtime record 17 points to push his game total to 40. Curry’s Herculian effort helped Golden State secure a 132-125 win.

Curry’s fellow stars made big contributions as well. Klay Thompson finished with 23 points and Draymond Green filled the stat sheet as usual with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Barnes added 10 points and 5 rebounds and hit the game tying shot that sent the game to overtime.

With a 3-1 series lead, the Warriors head home to Oracle Arena with their captain sore, “as to be expected,” as Curry said after the game, but ultimately intact and ready to roll. As he motioned to the Portland crowd after his dagger 3 pointer in overtime “I’m back! I’m back!”

He certainly is, much to the dismay of the rest of the teams remaining that may have to face these (league record 73 regular season win) Golden State Warriors.